Suspect in west Mobile restaurant arson released

MOBILE, Ala. -- A Mobile man accused of setting fire to a west Mobile restaurant made an initial appearance in federal court last week and will be arraigned on arson charges this week.

Robert David Dean, 25, is one of three men charged with conspiring to burn down the Bubble Lounge on Old Shell Road earlier this year. He also faces an unrelated second-degree rape charge in Mobile County.

U.S. Magistrate Judge William Cassady allowed Dean to remain out of jail pending trial as long as he keeps a job and adheres to a 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew.

According to the federal indictment, Matthew David Allen, who owned the Metropolitan Groove, offered to pay Dean and Michael McLean to light Bubble Lounge on fire.

After three failed attempts by Dean or McLean, Dean succeeded on April 22 in destroying the restaurant, according to the indictment.

Two days later, according to the indictment, Allen paid Dean.

Dean and Allen are scheduled to be arraigned on the charges this week. McLean has not been arrested.